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Local couple's long ride chronicled in new book
Coquitlam couple Loretta and Marvin Wideen have recounted their cross-country bicycle ride in a book.
By Laura Jansen
The Tri-City News
Nov 24, 2004
Five years ago, they made headlines when they biked across Canada to promote awareness of schizophrenia.
Now, Coquitlam's Loretta and Marvin Wideen have released a book chronicling their experiences on the road, including personal stories from people they encountered on their way.
"Essentially, we found the ride a really opening and enlightening experience," said Marvin Wideen, who added that he and his wife wanted to leave a legacy behind.
There is much more to this book than that.
Their goal is to further the cause that they began in May 1999. Although schizophrenia is a prevalent illness among Canadians - one in every 100 is affected by it - the public knows little about it.
Although there is the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, largely self-supported by family members and friends of people facing the illness, little is still known or talked about because of the stigma associated with it, said Loretta Wideen.
"I was a nurse for 28 years and it happened to be the illness that touched me the most," she said. "We're hoping [the book] will hit enough of the general public and hopefully they will learn something about schizophrenia."
The book, entitled Retired and Still Rolling: Cycling Across Canada, features segments on beginning your own cycling tour across the nation in support of a cause. The Wideens kept a diary along their journey and their son kept a website with current information about their progress. As they travelled, they gave cards to people they met and on the backs of their bikes were signs urging support of schizophrenia.
Retired and Still Rolling will be available in bookstores nationwide starting this week.
Article Source: http://www.tricitynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=74&cat=43&id=334452&more=
Coquitlam couple Loretta and Marvin Wideen have recounted their cross-country bicycle ride in a book.
By Laura Jansen
The Tri-City News
Nov 24, 2004
Five years ago, they made headlines when they biked across Canada to promote awareness of schizophrenia.
Now, Coquitlam's Loretta and Marvin Wideen have released a book chronicling their experiences on the road, including personal stories from people they encountered on their way.
"Essentially, we found the ride a really opening and enlightening experience," said Marvin Wideen, who added that he and his wife wanted to leave a legacy behind.
There is much more to this book than that.
Their goal is to further the cause that they began in May 1999. Although schizophrenia is a prevalent illness among Canadians - one in every 100 is affected by it - the public knows little about it.
Although there is the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, largely self-supported by family members and friends of people facing the illness, little is still known or talked about because of the stigma associated with it, said Loretta Wideen.
"I was a nurse for 28 years and it happened to be the illness that touched me the most," she said. "We're hoping [the book] will hit enough of the general public and hopefully they will learn something about schizophrenia."
The book, entitled Retired and Still Rolling: Cycling Across Canada, features segments on beginning your own cycling tour across the nation in support of a cause. The Wideens kept a diary along their journey and their son kept a website with current information about their progress. As they travelled, they gave cards to people they met and on the backs of their bikes were signs urging support of schizophrenia.
Retired and Still Rolling will be available in bookstores nationwide starting this week.
Article Source: http://www.tricitynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=74&cat=43&id=334452&more=
